Page 43 of No Faking a Second Chance

Winnielooks at the table, then brings her shiny gaze up to mine. “Hetold me you were going to give him a chance.”

“Who?”

“Camden.”

Iglare at her. “Areyou shitting me?”So, this entire time,Icould’ve cleared up the confusion by showing her the text messagesIshowedBishop… and she couldn’t even give me that?

Shereaches toward me, trying to grab my hand, butIflinch away from her. “Iknow,Ishould’ve heard your side, butIwas so pissed that my brother kept calling me about you hurting him.”

“So, why didn’t you?”

“Idon’t know… but,I’mlistening now.”

Iscoff. “Now?”Afew heads turn our way, soIlean closer to her and whisper, “Youhad your chance when you first came to me.Youwouldn’t let me speak.”Iwave my phone in front of her face and narrow my eyes at her. “Thisis all you would’ve needed to knowIdidn’t do a damn thing, other than fall for the manI’vebeen working for.”

Sheblinks. “Love?”

Asmuch as it terrifies me,Ido love him.Lookingat his house, especially his backyard,Ialready had so many ideas of what we could do — gatherings, birthday parties, a play area for kids.I’venever wanted a life with someone as much asIdo with him, if only he would just let me talk to him soIcan tell him everything that’s been going on.

“Yes,Winnie, love.IloveBishop, notCamden.Andnot thatIshould be explaining everything to you, butIexplained as much to your brother when he wouldn’t leave me alone.”Isigh, leaning back into the seat. “Hecrashed my date withBishop.I’massuming when he found outIwas on a date.”

“Uh,” she says, her gaze darting everywhere around the diner but at me. “Haveyou talked toBishoplately?”

Icock my head to the side. “Itexted him, asking him to come over or ifIcould go to his place.Hekeeps telling me he’s too busy, butI’mworriedIscrewed up.”

Shenervously chews the inside of her cheek. “Whydo you think that?”

“Well, we had an amazing night together afterIconvinced him to give me a chance andIran out before he woke up the morning after.Iwas worried he would end up regretting it, andIwanted to keep the happiness inside a little longer.Nowhe won’t see me.”

He’salso been a lot more professional in the office thanIexpected, butIonly assumed it was because he still wants us to act like associates at work and not a couple.

Winniegroans. “Georgia, you need to go talk to him.”

“Why?”

“HesawCamdenoutside your house the morning after, giving you a hug.”

Ohshit.

So, he’s not avoiding me becauseIwalked out on him.He’savoiding me because he thinksIplayed him in the exact same wayIdid before. “Dammit,”Imutter quietly.

“Doeshe know how you feel?”

Ishake my head. “Ionly just realizedI’min love with him.Sincehe’s been avoiding me,I’vehad time to miss him more than anything, along with imagining what my life would be like with him.”

“That’sgreat.Whatdo you need me to do?”

“Winnie, you hurt me…Idon’t want you to do anything right now.”

Shenods in understanding. “WhatdidCamdencome there for anyway?”

Iscoff. “Toapologize for not leaving me alone whenIasked him to, then said he would leave me alone to be withBishop… that’s whyIhugged him.”God,Ican’t imagine howBishopfelt seeing that, especially afterIcalled off sick andIclearly wasn’t.

“Hewon’t talk to you?”

“Imean,Icould text him about everything, butIwanted to tell him howIfelt in person.”

Shenods, smiling softly at me. “I’mhappy for you,Peach, even if it didn’t start out the greatest.I’mglad you figured out who you want to be with and that you’re fighting for him.”Hernostrils flare. “Andtrust me,I’llbe having a conversation with my brother about all this.”

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